Philosophy of Leadership
Sullivan (2010) indicates that leaders empower, encourage, and support others in a shared effort to achieve goals or create change. Hence, as a early childhood educator our role has a great impact in achieving such goals. Indeed, a leader has desirable traits that inspires and motivates other to work towards a vision or goal. For the purpose of this paper, I will discuss my leadership style and explain how the style motivates and influences my environment and the importance to reflect on practice.
Transformational Leadership Being in the field for over twenty years, I am able to reflect on my role as a supervisor. I consider myself as a transformational leader. According to _____tranformational leaders are able to motivate and equip members by actively engaging them in the program's’ mission or goals. As a result of my transformational leadership in the field, I am able to create such collaborative and engaging atmosphere, where staff families and community work together for the benefit of the children. With this intention, families and staff develop a sense of belonging in the program, therefore enables active participation in the program’s activities, planning and decision making.
Motivates
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--------states that transformational leadership ensures that each staff member is treated as an important leader in the workplace (2010). With this in mind, lines of communication are kept open to ensure that staff members are able to express their ideas and valued as contributing member of the workplace. Providing this type of atmosphere motivates staff to actively participate in the program and carry out the program’s vision. In essence, a program can not be successful on it’s own, but it takes a group of motivating people that share common goals and interest for the
In addition, Burns et al., (as cited by Lavoie-Tremblay, et al., 2015) defined a transformational leader as “a leader who can extend and elevate the interests of staff, who can facilitate the commitment of staff to the mission and values of the organization, and who can lead staff to rise above their personal interests” (p. 582). Further, Broome (2013) identified transformational leaders as “proactive and hold core beliefs about the potential for development of both individuals they work with and their organization” (p. 327). Samad et al.(2015), connecting transformational leadership to servant leadership and authentic leadership reported, “transformational leadership is also congruent with regards to fostering higher levels of motivation among the followers’ and leaders’ ability to visualize the unforeseen” (pp.
This paper summarizes the article written by Cam Caldwell, Rolf D. Dixon, Larry A. Floyd, Joe Chaudoin, Johnathan Post, and Gaynor Cheokas regarding the need for a new type of leadership in today’s social work environment, defined as Transformative leadership. The article itself varies in the definition, however in a broad sense Transformative leadership is maintaining good moral standing and sound business ethics among employees and individuals inside and outside the workplace. However, in order to reach this theoretical level of business related moral and ethical leadership known as
Literature states that leadership is displayed as a persistent and positive activity (Fitzgerald and Gunter, 2008 cited in Siraj-Blachford and Hallet, 2014, pg.9). According to Rodd (2006), early childhood practitioners need to be effective leaders to make sure their roles and responsibilities are carried out effectively. Although leadership can be learned or developed, it is important that all individual gains access to professional training and opportunities to practice, refined and broadened (Rodd, 2006). Therefore, the importance of leadership and implementation to the setting is recognized by all Early Years Leaders. Leadership can be displayed as a process in which one person, usually it is the leaders role and responsibility to set the purpose or direction for one or more other persons. Then later on gets them to move along together with him or her and with each other in that direction with competence and fill commitment. (Jacques and Clement, 1994, cited in Briggs and Briggs, 2009). Siraj-Blatchford and Hallet (2014) adds that leadership is also known as a process for personal and professional learning and development; organizational change and improvement. Rodd (2013) defines leaders working in early childhood sector as people who are able to influence the behaviours of others to achieve a certain goal or planned outcome. Similarly, leadership in the early childhood sector appears to be more of a result to groups of people who work together to influence and inspire
Becoming a transformational leader can occur either because the leader has a model or mentor that is a transformational leader, because he/she is a born transformational leader, or through reflection. Senge (1990) wrote that “Learning through reflection is about finding the creative tension...between an understanding of current reality and a vision of desirable practice” (as cited in Johns, 2004, p. 24). In addition, Schuster (1994) noted that one who desires to become a transformational leader can cultivate certain qualities that are characteristic of such a leader: a stimulating vision for the organization, honesty, empathy, authenticity, the ability to defer self-interest to ensure that others are recognized, a holistic concern for the organization, the ability to share power with others, and the ability to develop others (as cited in Johns, 2004, p. 25). The transformational leader is also an effective communicator who persists during hard times and still has the courage to continue to move ahead even when fatigued and encountering difficulties (Schuster, 1994, as cited in Johns, 2004, p. 25).
A transformational leadership style along with good communication skills can be used to manage the multiples issues Hartland Memorial faces. “Transformational leadership involves anticipating future trends, inspiring followers to understand and embrace a new vision of possibilities, developing others to be leaders, and reward learners” (Hellriegal & Slocum, 2009, p. 301). Elizabeth and her associates should have the necessary qualities of a transformational leader; integrity, accountability, and motivation, so the staff can identify with them. The nurse manager could give nurses opportunities to demonstrate and experience leadership in their profession on a regular basis. Effective leadership is critical in delivering high quality care; equally
There are many models of leadership that exist across a range of fields (e.g. social work, education, psychology, business, etc.). The ability to transform an organization successfully requires a different set of attitudes and skills. Transformational leadership is an approach where a leader utilizes inspiration, charisma, individualized attention, and intellectual stimulation with their employees (Iachini, Cross, & Freedman, 2015, p. 651). Transformational leadership helps to clarify organizational vision, inspires employees to attain objectives, empowers employees, encourages employees to take risks, and advocates the seeking of alternative solutions to challenges in the workplace (Transformational Leadership, 2015). It allows the leader to engage and motivate each follower identify with the organization’s values and goals.
Achieving a school district’s mission and vision requires the commitment of its stakeholders. In order to involve them in the process, it is necessary for educational leaders to “motivate staff, parents, students, board and community members” (Educational Leadership Constituencies Council, 2002, p. 4). The transformational leadership theory emphasizes the importance of educational leaders acting as role-models in order to motivate and inspire the school community. This approach has the potential to involve all stakeholders, leading to increased student success (Bush, 2007). The Assistant Director of Special Education in Northwest ISD directly supervised the school district’s assessment staff. Her education, experience, and passion set an example for her subordinates, stimulating them to achieve more, leading to her promotion to Executive Director of Student Services.
Transformational leaders encourage group work, as they connect each follower’s identity and self to the project and collective identity of the corporation. They are role models for other staff and this inspires them and makes them
One will examine the underlying philosophies, theories and principles that shape their professional beliefs about children’s learning (Brown, et al., 2012; Waniganayake et al., 2012; Duignan, 2006). For any obstacles they may encounter, through the contingency theory, an educational leader will work with the appropriate style of leadership most suitable in that circumstance (Rodd, 2006), and respond to various situations in times of change by critically reflecting on the purposes they see for their setting and the goals they are aiming to achieve with children and families. Understanding from the transformational theory, an educational leader will be inspiring others with visions that can enable the team to be directed and motivated toward creating ‘a culture of learning and professional growth’ (Duignan, 2006; Waniganayake et al., 2012; Sinclair, 2007; Rodd, 2006; Siraj-Blatchford and Manni, 2006; ACECQA, 2013). Moreover, distributed leadership approach, which falls under the transformational theory, is seen in the educational leader as they work collaboratively with others towards the same vision (Rodd, 2006). For instance, taken from ACEQA (2013), the educational leader would examine routines with each of the room leaders, and how to make them more effective for children’s learning experiences. Here, the educational leader is not only guiding staff along, but also problem-solving
Transformational Leadership can play a role in creating a successful team. It can also be the process that changes and transforms people dealing with emotions, values, ethics, and standards. Transformational Leadership is the process whereby a person engages others and creates a connection that raises the level of motivation and morality in both the leader and the follower (Northhouse , 186). This applies to a team because you always have to be able to connect and motivate others
Transformational leaders’ focus is on the relationship of the leader with subordinates through encouragement, understanding, enthusiasm, and spur, while considering the individual. The leader motivates, possesses
According to Hoyle (2006), “Transformational leaders are servants to others to guide them in creating and embracing a vision for the organization that inspires to bring forth top performance and creates a belief system of integrity, a cause beyond oneself, diversity of thought, and inclusiveness for all races and gender” (p.2). As a transformational leader, I believe that it is imperative that I embrace a vision for the organization that inspires all stakeholders to aspire to become change leaders. I embrace the fact of allowing others to be able to feel empowered to share ideas, best practices, and experiences that will impact the overall benefit of the organization. My aim as a transformational leader is to make a difference in the workplace. I want to become a leader that my co-workers or one day employees will be able to look to me as a role model who is supportive and encouraging.
A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER is a person who stimulates and inspires followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes (Robbins, 2007)It has been shown to influence organisational members by transforming their values and priorities while motivating them to perform beyond their expectations (Rowold, 2007)Increased levels of job satisfaction & reduced turnover intentions are consequences of transformational leadership. It is all about leadership that creates positive change in the followers whereby they take care of each other’s interests and act in the interestsof the groupas a whole (Warrilow, 2012)
Transformational leadership taps into the motives of followers in order to reach their goals, while transactional focuses on the exchanges that occur between leaders and followers (Northouse, 2013). The branches of the military in general would be considered transactional leadership organizations. This type of leadership encourages followers to perform tasks at a high level in order to achieve advancement or increase in pay or rank. Conversely, transformational leadership would be focused on creating a connection between the leader and the followers, in order to perform tasks in such a way as to increase the feeling of morality in both the leader and the follower (Northouse, 2013). Panorama did not exhibit any behavior that tried to motivate Bailey to feel a connection to him. Instead, Panorama tried to intimidate, coerce, and punish Bailey to execute the tasks he was required to perform.
Fundamental differences in leadership styles are clearly existent. The transformational leader is one who displays dedication, perseverance, and a purpose for action within the organization. This style of leadership infers the leader is respected, trusted, and admired by the employees of the organization. Moreover, this style of leadership requires moral and ethical dedication that projects the group and